Darren generates and elevates projects that speak to our current moment with urgency and impact, regardless of medium, scale, or shape.

His work as a creative producer, director, educator, and facilitator have taken him from storied institutions and studios to classrooms around the country. With an approach to collaboration is both rigorous and exuberant, he has had the privilege of developing and maintaining several multi-year collaborations, and investing in deep relationships with a variety of artists and communities.

Darren is currently the Director of Civic Programs at The Shed, where he works on projects that center community, artistry, and advocacy. These projects include: commissioning, developing, and producing new work with visual and performing artists, creating and producing public programs, and developing social impact initiatives. He is a co-founder of tall poPpy, inc, an artist-led social enterprise that seeks to create systemic change. There, he develops and produces new projects and educational & advocacy campaigns. He co-produced the world premiere of While I Have the Floor at the Spoleto Arts Festival in Charleston, and town halls with Harvard University, and Emory & Henry College. Additionally, tall poPpy partnered with SDCF and BHO5 to produce a series of panels investigating the history and representation of Deaf artists in theatre. Recently, tall poPpy supported the production of a documentary about sexual and reproductive health education in Colombia, as well as four new performance works in various stages of development.

Darren was the assistant vocal producer of the West Side Story film (dir. Stephen Spielberg) and the original Broadway cast album of Kimberly Akimbo (both Grammy-nominated). At New York City Center, he produced Evita (2019), Diary of a Tap Dancer, V6 (2020), and was a founding producer of the Encores! Off-Center series (4 seasons: 2013-2016). There, he also co-founded an internship for early-career artists.

Darren was the founding Program Director of the non-profit A BroaderWay, an arts-centered leadership program for middle school girls and gender expansive youth. Since 2010, A BroaderWay has leveraged the discipline, beauty, and spirit of the arts to amplify the power of young people.

Darren served as creative director for Idina Menzel’s world tour (2017). He assistant directed the American Repertory Theatre’s gala in the spring of 2022. He has also directed/choreographed for the National YoungArts Foundation, Pace University, Plymouth State University, Broadway Dance Center, Steps, MTCA, and The Studio New Canaan.

Darren holds an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in the Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship Program, with an Arts & Learning concentration. There, he received the Leadership in Education award and the Faculty Tribute Award. He received his BFA in Musical Theatre at the University of Michigan. An AEA member, he has performed and stage managed on tour (Elf), Off-Broadway (Prospect Theatre Co, NYMF, Lincoln Center) and at regional theaters throughout the country (Madison Square Garden, New York City Center, Kennedy Center, MUNY, PCLO, Northern Stage).